Manatees

I have been enjoying some time with my family in Florida . Yesterday we went to a Blue Springs State Park in Orange City Fl. about two miles away from my parents house. I lived in this town for about five years while in Junior High and High School. Many times during those years, I swam at this state park, but never did I see a manatee this close until yesterday.

Blue Springs is a fresh water spring that puts out hundreds of thousands of gallons of water per hour creating a large "boil" and a large creek leading from it. The water is a constant 72 degrees year round which can be quite invigorating to swim in. However, in the Winter, the water is warmer than either the water in the river or the ocean, so the manatees come to it to stay warm. Yesterdays manatee was a little confused and was still hanging around the spring when it should have left a month ago.

What was amazing about this manatee was that it swam into the swimming area coming right into the middle of a group of people allowing them to touch it and swim along side. several minutes later, a park ranger came over and told everyone to get out of the water. The manatee then swam over to the dock where I stood with my children and wife, and lifted its head out of the water and looked right at us. What an amazing creature!

I am enjoying these final weeks before the Army takes physical ownership of me. I have just over three weeks left until I report to Ft. Jackson, SC. On this trip my family and I camped two nights with my family in Barnesville, Ga. beside a large pond, small lake at the home of one of my college roommates. We also traveled to Ft. Myers Fl. to visit with my wifes parents and aunt and uncle for five days. We are now at my parents home visiting with them until May 15th.

On May 16th we will travel to Ft. Jackson to attend a basic training graduation for a young man from our church who joined the Army shortly after I did but left for training only three weeks after joining. We are proud of him! Way to go JR!!!! After graduation, we will travel to Asheville NC. to meet with friends and to speak to a group at Biltmore Baptist Church. Finally, before returning home, we will spend a day at Dollywood in Gatlinburg, Tn. I believe when this trip is over I will need a vacation from this vacation. Maybe I'll go visit Ft. Jackson.

By the way, imagine this -- On this trip we have managed to get six kids ranging from six months to 12 years, my wife and I (making eight of us), suitcases, tent, fishing poles and box, sleeping bags and pillows, baby bed, etc., all into a Dodge Caravan. Imagine ten hours of intimate travel time together like this. Oh, did I mention the tv/vcr combination sitting on the arm rests in between my wife and I.

I love my family and praise God for this wonderful trip we are sharing together. Thanks for your love and prayers.